The letters from Theresa Rice and Amy Merhaut opposing "abstinence-only" education are premised on the thoroughly religious and Puritanical philosophy that states, as Ms. Rice puts it, "sex for pleasure alone is immaturity." It is the view that bodily and earthly pleasures are evil that has dominated Judeo-Christian (as well as Muslim) theology and is responsible for scores of problems stemming from the dichotomy that results from attempting to live on earth according to principles that are antithetical to this life, as they are geared for a supernatural mythical after-life. Ms. Rice and Ms. Merhaut treat abstinence as a Platonic Form, and consequently no amount of scientific reasoning will sway them. Their concern lies only with indoctrination, not with the instilling of principles necessary for living on Earth. Ms. Merhaut's goal of teaching children "the true understanding of love," can not be achieved by the inculcation of principles inimical to this life.